Dog Runner [Paperback]

Each of the dogs has a distinct, believable personality, and human and animal interactions ring true to life. Dog Runner is a special book -- Calgary Herald, December 16, 1989

More than an adventure novel, this story addresses questions of racism, two cultures, and a young man’s growing self-acceptance. -- Library and Archives Canada, May 25, 2001

Throughout this well-written adventure story, Native legends are skillfully interwoven, and Jim’s relationship with his dogs is poignantly portrayed. -- Canadian Book Review Annual, 1989

Jim must turn his freighting dogs into a racing ream or lose them! Can he do it in time?

Jim Redcrow is a Métis teenager who helps his father and uncle run a trapline in northern Alberta. As part of his duties, Jim maintains the family dog team that is used to haul supplies to and from the trapline. Times are hard and Jim will lose his dogs unless he can figure another way for them to earn their keep. He enters a grueling three-day race that tests the limits of his team. Tempted to win at all costs, he comes to realize the price may be too high.

Dog Runner is an adventure story pitting a teenager and his dog team against the harsh realities of the North and human nature. Along the way, many lessons are learned and assumptions challenged.

Dog Runner was originally published in 1989, and won the Writers' Guild of Alberta Award for Excellence in Children's Literature the following year.

Don Meredith is a writer and wildlife biologist living in Alberta, Canada. His work as a biologist in the North kindled his interest in native culture and dog sledding. He has written many articles about wildlife and the outdoors for a variety of publications.